Paul Jaboulet Ainé Hermitage 'La Chapelle' Syrah 2012

Paul Jaboulet Aîné - Hermitage ‘La Chapelle’ 2012 - Northern Rhône, France

About The Producer:

The Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné was created in 1834 through the magical conjunction of a fertile land on a hillside by the Rhone and a family with a passion for winemaking.

Famed through the Hermitage La Chapelle, over the years the Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné took ownership of the finest appellations of the northern Rhone Valley, applying organic and biodynamic principles since taken over by the Frey family, ensuring a legacy in both vineyards and incredible wines.

The Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné was created in 1834 through the magical conjunction of a fertile land on a hillside by the Rhone and a family with a passion for winemaking.

Famed through the Hermitage La Chapelle, over the years the Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné took ownership of the finest appellations of the northern Rhone Valley, applying organic and biodynamic principles since taken over by the Frey family, ensuring a legacy in both vineyards and incredible wines.

A legendary cru… Over centuries, this mythical cru has built its reputation on a single hill, and an epic history. In the beginning, the hill was home to a hermitage founded by Henri Gaspard de Sterimberg in 1224. This knight, returning from the Albigensian Crusade, and weary of bloodshed, asked permission to Blanche of Castille to take refuge from the world on the summit of this granite hill. Soon joined by others, the community began to plant vines… A charming tale, but one that overlooks the fact that the Hermitage owes only its name to the hermit: the vineyard has existed since ancient times with the famous wines of Vienne.

Producer's Notes:

More dense, concentrated structured, the knockout 2011 Hermitage La Chapelle, which comes mostly from the warmer, Le Meal Lieut, is up with the top 7 – 8 wines in the vintage. Offering up layers of black raspberry, powdered rock, chocolate, roasted meats, and graphite, it flows onto the palate with full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth, and masses of fine tannin that are sweet and polished. Reasonably approachable given the wealth of fruit and texture, it should nevertheless be given a handful of years in the cellar

What we say:

From one of the most iconic appellations in the Northern Rhône, La Chapelle is the flagship cuvée of the venerable estate. Sourced from the steep granite-and-schist slopes of Hermitage and aged 15-18 months in French oak (20% new in this vintage) according to recent reports. 

The 2012 vintage opens with aromas of black raspberry, dark cherry, smoke, black olive, licorice and graphite - rich, deep and brooding. On the palate it is full-bodied yet precise, with intense dark fruit, firm tannins, bright acidity, and a long mineral-tinged finish that promises serious ageing potential. The wine stands confidently between power and elegance. 

Grape variety: 100% Syrah

Style: Premium, age-worthy, top-tier Northern Rhône red

Drink window: 2025–2045+

Perfect for: Prime cuts, game, truffles, fine dinners or stellar cellar additions

97 points - Ernan Beg (Vinous/Jeb Dunnuck)

97 points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)

A benchmark Hermitage that delivers depth, class and legacy.